Fibromyalgia Miracle Cures-Or Mirages?

I am frequently on the web looking at information on fibromyalgia and I am often disgusted with the so-called “miracle cures”.  Anyone that puts out a web-site saying they have the answer for fibromyalgia, and all you have to do is take this one thing, is flat out wrong.

They are either totally ignorant of the problems associated with fibromyalgia, or they are out to make a buck from desperate people.

There is no known cure for fibromyalgia.  That’s because there are multitudes of reasons why a person can have wide-spread pain and fatigue.  Here’s just a partial list:

1. Chronic whiplash injury
2. Multiple herniated discs
3. Thyroid disorders
4. Adult Tethered Cord Syndrome
5. Metabolic disorders
6. High Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acid ratios
7. Dysbiosis
8. Gluten Intolerance
9. Latent Viral Infection
10. Low vitamin D levels
11. Failed Back Surgery
12. Heavy Metal Toxicity

And the list can go on and on.  The problem is, most medical doctors don’t treat these conditions.  In order to correct these problems, you need the help of someone trained to get your body to work right.  Not cover up symptoms with drugs.  You need someone to help you walk through the “maze”,  find out what the problems are, and find you a way out.

There is no “one thing” that cures everyone, but there are treatments that can help. For more information on fibromyalgia log on to: www.stopyourfibronow.com.

Fibromyalgia’s New Name

If you have fibromyalgia, you know the frustration of seeing a bunch of doctors and not getting a straight answer as to what is wrong with you.  Even when the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made, your doctor just gives you drugs to mask the symptoms.  You never get down to the cause.

In July of 2011, a paper was published in the Journal of Internal Medicine that may help you understand what is wrong with you.  The study is calling fibromyalgia and its diagnostic twin, chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis.  (ME)

Myalgic encephalomyelitis means muscle pain caused by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.  The authors of the study are saying that the term more accurately describes the condition and I agree.

I have been treating fibromyalgia cases since 2002, using the best available research.  The research has been pointing towards encephalomyelitis as a cause for more than a decade.

Swelling of the brain and spinal cord needs to be addressed for the pain to go away.  The inflammation can come from a variety of sources.  The largest single source is adverse mechanical tension on the spinal cord.  The spine misaligns in a way that stretches the spinal cord and irritates it until it becomes inflamed.  This causes the symptoms.

But other causes for the inflammation may also need to be addressed.  Diet, oxidative stress, excitotoxins, and dysbiosis can all contribute to the problem.  You need to find a doctor who knows what to look for and how to treat it.

For more information on how I treat fibromyalgia, log on to:  www.stopyourfibronow.com

Does Weather Make Pain Worse?

Any doctor who has treated people in chronic pain will hear the patients say that they feel more pain when the weather is bad.  Especially cool humid weather.

Is this all in the patient’s head or is there some scientific cause for it ?

Well a study done in the journal, Spine, in 2004, studied 26,862 patients from 23 different health centers in the National Spine Network.  They concluded that changes in barometric pressure caused people to have lower scores on general health surveys.  (SF-36).  This meant that people rated their general health, physical function, bodily pain, mental health, social function, fatigue and emotional health, lower when the barometric pressure changed.

A study in the Journal of Rheumatology in 1985 showed that falling barometric pressure indicative of a coming storm, increased arthritic symptoms in patients.

Another study noted that 76 to 83% of patients could predict rain by their arthritic symptoms.  (Ann Rheum Dis 1990;49:158-9)

Patients with higher self-reported pain were more weather sensitive.  (Pain 1999;81:173-7)

So there is a definite link to weather and chronic pain.  Research findings suggest that abnormal nerve impulses generated at injured areas could cause increased pain and that these impulses are sensitive to and aggravated by weather.

But the pain is not directly caused by the weather.  An injured or arthritic area is the cause of the pain.  The weather changes merely aggravate the problems.  It is important to get injuries and arthritis treated properly so your pain levels go down and you aren’t as sensitive to weather changes.

For more information on how I treat chronic pain, log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com or www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com.

Fibromyalgia- The Only Cure

Everyone seems to have an opinion on what fibromyalgia is.  Some say it’s a muscle problem, others say a body chemistry thing, still others a psychological problem.  The latest opinion I saw from one so-called expert, is that it comes from “stealth viruses”.  The viruses are so “stealthy” he can’t prove they exist.

I don’t believe in most of the theories on fibromyalgia.  There is no single thing that can cause aches and pains all over the body in every person.  What you really have is a collection of diseases, disorders and problems that aren’t handled well medically.

This can include things like chronic whiplash, failed back surgery, vitamin D deficiency, multiple disc herniations, chronic inflammatory disorders, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, blood sugar disorders and on and on.

Since there is no single cause, there is no single cure.

The only thing that can cure fibromyalgia is the healing mechanisms of the human body.  A properly functioning body does not get fibromyalgia.  In order to activate these healing mechanisms, you must eat right, drink plenty of water, get proper sleep, exercise mildly and maintain a good attitude.

If you do these things, you will most likely start to feel better already.

From there, you will probably need to get some help removing any impediments that keep your body from functioning properly.   You will need to get evaluated by someone who is experienced in treating “fibromyalgia”.  Someone who can dig deeper into the cause of your pain, and either treat it (if it’s treatable) or give you the tools to solve it.

For more information on how I treat fibromyalgia, log on to: www.stopyourfibronow.com

Fibromyalgia – How To “Live With” FM

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that produces widespread pain that can literally change the life of a FM patient, but as they say, “..life must go on!”  There are treatment options out there, that can greatly improve your life without drugs or surgery.   But, this Health Update is dedicated to discussing ways to treat yourself, in order to make your FM as manageable as possible. Ways to gain self-control of FM include the following:

1. Exercise:  There are two forms of exercise you should include in your self-management program. One is light aerobic exercises such as walking and/or water exercises with the objective to increase your heart rate. The other is strength training with a low weight / high repetition approach emphasizing the part of the exercise where you slowly release the weight back to the start position (the eccentric part of the exercise).  Here is a list of tips from the National Fibromyalgia Association that should help:
   1. Start slow – don’t overdo it the first few times you exercise as post-exercise soreness is normal but, it’s exaggerated in the FM patient.
   2. Listen closely to your body’s feedback! Increase the activity according to your tolerance – NOT TOO QUICKLY!
   3. Start with only a few minutes of gentle exercise and work your way up.
   4. Walking is a GREAT form of exercise.  It can be done inside (in the winter, for example), outside, and/or in water (to reduce weight bearing loads).
   5. Track your progress by keeping a log of what and how much you’re doing. This can be accomplished by wearing a pedometer (that measures steps), a heart monitor (that measures pulse rate), and keep track of the distance and time, when possible.  Make notes how you felt during and after the exercise.
   6. Stretch lightly before and after exercising.
   7. Keep your chiropractor informed and work as a “team” to advance your program.
2. Sleep:  A poor sleep pattern is the “norm” for FM patients. The pain associated with FM usually interferes with sleeps, which leads to more pain followed by more sleep disturbance – it’s a vicious cycle that needs to be broken. The National Sleep Foundation and others recommend the following steps to help us sleep:
   1. Stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed at a similar time each night, even on weekends.
   2. Room temperature – keep it cool, not too warm!
   3. Caffeine – avoid this especially towards evenings (coffee, tea, soda, and/or chocolate).
   4. Alcohol – avoid before bedtime as it can keep you awake.
   5. Exercise – in the afternoon, NOT before bedtime.
   6. Nap as needed but ONLY briefly – like 20 min. max.!
   7. Be comfortable – wear soft PJ’s and consider a white noise machine.
   8. Bedtime routine – consider reading, listening to soft music – whatever works for you! Once you find a routine that works, stick with it!
3. Diet: Talk to your chiropractor about food allergy, gluten sensitivity, diabetes, thyroid function, medication/vitamin use and any other unique issues that pertain to you.
4. Emotional control: Engage your family, good friends, your healthcare providers, and consider FM support groups.  Meditation, deep breathing and visualization exercises as well as cognitive therapy can also be very effective.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR DRUG-FREE OF FIBROMYALGIA! FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ON TO: www.stopyourfibronow.com

Fibromyalgia Facts

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that is characterized by widespread, generalized pain “all over” the body that does not follow any specific anatomical pathway like the course of a nerve, muscle, or blood vessel. It is often diagnosed only after all other conditions have been eliminated by using various testing approaches such as blood tests, x-ray, CT or MRI Scans, and others.  Controversy exists between health care providers (HCP’s) as some believe that FM either doesn’t exist at all or if it does, it’s grossly over diagnosed while others feel most patients have some form or degree of FM.  Because of this common split in beliefs, patients may be treated poorly by those non-believing HCP’s, which often alienates them from seeking further care for FM.

Recent literature suggests FM is disorder of “central pain processing” or, a specific situation where the pain threshold (the point where pain is felt) is reached sooner than what is normal.  Fibromyalgia has been classified into 2 separate groups – primary and secondary FM.  Primary FM is diagnosed when no known cause can be identified while secondary FM is related to a specific cause such as a disease or condition.  Conditions that have been reportedly associated with FM include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), TMJ (jaw disorders), chronic low back pain, and headaches. There are genetic as well as environmental factors associated with FM.  Researchers have found that there is a strong familial component with 1st degree relatives where an 8 fold greater risk of developing FM compared to the general population exists. These people are also more likely to have one of the other associated conditions previously mentioned (IBS, TMJ, headaches). Environmental factors can lead to FM in 5-10% of the cases. Some of these include physical trauma such as car accidents, following infections such as parvovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Lyme disease. Psychological stress, hormonal alterations such as hypothyroid, drug side effects, vaccination reactions and certain catastrophic events such as war are included in the “environmental factors” category. Gender differences include woman being 2-3 times more likely to suffer from FM than men.

So, what are the treatment options for FM? Typically, if you go to a medical doctor, you can expect various forms of drug therapy – possibilities include anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, and sleep aids but with these, watch out for grogginess, side effects and some habit forming/dependency problems. Pain killers or analgesics – opioides are NOT appropriate but often prescribed and narcotics can also be habit forming. Tylenol is perhaps the safest but is not very effective.  Anti-inflammatory include aspirin, ibuprofen but watch for stomach irritation and blood thinning problems. Dr. Christopher Morris, MD reports that drug treatments for FM have, “…very limited success in providing significant improvement in most patients.”  He recommends behavior modification for sleep improvement, exercise (walking, water exercises, strength training, yoga, tai chi, Qi Gong), as well as cognitive behavioral therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, biofeedback, hypnosis, and dietary modification.  Examples of dietary changes include avoiding foods with certain additives including MSG (monosodium glutamate) and aspartame where in one study, “complete resolution” of FM symptoms was reported.

Patients with FM NEED a “quarterback” to guide them in their management of FM and chiropractic is the PERFECT choice as many of these holistic approaches are utilized or can be coordinated through our office.

We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in your treatment planning and realize you have a choice of providers. If you, a friend or family member requires care for FM, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR FIBROMYALGIA! FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ON TO: WWW.STOPYOURFIBRONOW.COM

Fibromyalgia, C-reactive Protein and Your Heart

C-reactive Protein (CRP) is a protein that increases in the blood stream as a response to injury and inflammation.  Fibromyalgia sufferers often have elevated levels of CRP and it can be a sign of a major systemic inflammatory problem.  Lowering these levels can be a big key to relieving the wide-spread body pain.

CRP also turns out to be a good predictor of heart disease.  A study appearing in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association (2005;8(1)43-44), involving more than 27,000 women, found that CRP was a better predictor of cardiovascular disease than LDL (bad) cholesterol.

High CRP levels double the likelihood of death from a heart attack. And, it increases the likelihood of cancer by a factor of 1.65.

Again, people with chronic pain often have elevated levels of CRP.  These people need to know that if these levels are left unchecked, it can lead to a higher risk of heart disease and cancer later in life.

CRP levels can be lowered by increasing intake of anti-oxidant vitamins like Vitamin C and E.  Also, increasing levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet and lowering Omega-6 fatty acids can lower CRP levels.  Other anti-oxidant compounds can be helpful as well.

A C-reactive protein blood test is an easy routine test.  I include it in the blood panels I order because the information is so important.  It can make a big difference in your health.

For more information on chronic pain log on to www.fibroreliefinfo.com .

Fibromyalgia: The Dirty Dozen of Exercise

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common chronic condition that affects millions of people.  The overview of the symptoms is widespread pain in the muscles accompanied by pain, fatigue, and “…just feeling wiped out!”  Sleep deprivation is a common problem and some feel sleep loss for any reason — stress, past injury, current illness, etc. — can result in FM and restoring sleep is a key component to treatment.  Here are 14 key points to consider to effectively “manage” or gain control of FM (as there is no “cure”):

1. Keep Moving: Exercise of a REGULAR BASIS. The presence of pain is NOT a reason to NOT exercise – a common mis-belief about FM.  Exercise is not only good for your muscles but it also helps improve the circulation, maintain bowel regularity, and reduce stress.
2. Talk To Your Doctor: Always discuss your fitness plans with us, your chiropractor! It’s important to have a structured plan to follow and most importantly, START SLOWLY!
3. “Learn” Your Limitations: Around the house, at work and in the gym, learn what you can handle by slowly introducing new activities into your routine. Don’t feel guilty about taking multiple breaks during your day!
4. Remember to Stretch: To improve flexibility, improve muscle tightness, and reduce pain, gentle stretching exercises are VERY rewarding! These can be done at any time of the day and also as a “warm up” and “cool down” before and after your exercise session.
5. Make It Fun: Choose exercises that appeal to you such as bicycling, swimming, or walking – make it fun!  Exercise in a location that is appealing such as walking in a park, or in the woods.  Take your dog (or the neighbor’s dog) for a walk. Try to achieve thirty minutes of movement-based exercise each day.
6. Set Realistic Goals: Don’t try to run a marathon on your first day of exercise. You need to determine what you can handle by gradually introducing the activity. For example, start with a 5 or 10 minute walk and set a goal of 30 minutes by the end of the 1st or 2nd week. Then work on speed or pace. Make sure the exercises you choose do not aggravate your condition further.
7. Make Sleep a Priority: Restless, non-restoring sleep is a common complaint of FM patients. Exercise can really help faulty sleep patterns. Set a sleep schedule – go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Also, talk to us about nutritional options.
8. Block Out Distractions: Use ear plugs, “noise machines,” or an eye mask to block out sleeping distractions.
9. AVOID Caffeine: Coffee, chocolate or caffeine rich soda can disrupt sleep patterns well into the night. Avoid these for at least four [4] hours before bedtime.
10. Reduce Stress: Just struggling with FM is stressful enough!  Yoga, meditation, deep breathing and relaxation exercises can be extremely helpful is reducing stress.
11. Learn To Say No: It’s OK to say “no.” We’re all too busy but with FM, additional worries and stress really take their toll!
12. Socialize Wisely: Socialize with people who have a positive attitude – choose your friends wisely.  Remember, the glass is always at least “half-full!”

We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in your treatment planning and realize you have a choice of providers. If you, a friend or family member requires care for FM, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR REAL RELIEF FROM FIBROMYALGIA  FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ON TO: www.stopyourfibronow.com

Treatment Alternatives for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that usually affects different organ systems in the body, causing a number of symptoms. Some of these include:

1)      The muscles (the musculoskeletal system): tender, achy, stiff, tight muscles, trigger or tender points all over the body;
2)      The nerves (the nervous system): headaches, light headedness, sleep disruption, depression, anxiety, numbness/tingling (overlaps with the cardiovascular system);
3)      The stomach and intestines (the gastrointestinal system): diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel, leaky gut, heart burn, lack of appetite, abdominal cramping;
4)      Breathing (the respiratory system): hyperventilation, rapid / shallow breathing patterns;
5)      The heart (the cardiovascular system): racing heart rate – palpitations, feeling cold all the time, numbness/tingling (overlaps with the nervous system);

Because of the multiple systems involved, there are many challenges to managing Fibromyalgia.  Studies suggest a balance between several approaches works best.  Some of these approaches include biomedical treatments, organ-specific treatments, and cognitive interpersonal treatments.  Within these categories, the following can be broken down further:

1)      General – those treatments directed at the whole body such as anti-inflammatory measures.  These include (but are not limited to) medications (corticosteroids, NSAID’s – such as Advil, Aleve) and nutrients (ginger, turmeric, boswellia, Vitamin D, and others).  Other anti-inflammatory measures include diet, such as the Paleo Diet or “caveman diet.”  This diet eliminates grains or flour-based products from the diet.  That means no more breads, pastas, crackers, cookies – anything made with flour.  This approach emphasizes consuming fruits, vegetables, grass-fed lean meats and fish.  The main ingredients in grains that are of concern in the Paleo Diet are gluten and lectins
2)      Central – those treatments directed at the chemical factors in the brain that control mood, depression, anxiety and so on.  These include (but are not limited to) medications (tricyclic antidepressants, muscle relaxers like Cyclobenzaprine, SSRI, SNRI and Trmadol) and certain nutrients (neurotransmitter support such as 5-HTP – tryptophan, DHEA and others).
3)      Psychotherapy and active behavioral therapy – treatments that are supportive of nervous system such as cognitive behavior therapy, aerobic exercise, patient education, multidisciplinary therapy, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and strength training.
4)      Passive physical intervention – chiropractic therapy, massage therapy and other forms of manual therapy, and acupuncture.

The goal of this article is to look at fibromyalgia from a holistic perspective so that those struggling with FM and similar conditions can better appreciate the concept of multidisciplinary treatment, of which chiropractic care plays a significant role.  Coordination of care and finding the “right” health care providers cannot be over-emphasized.

We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in your treatment planning and realize you have a choice of providers. Chiropractic care can be a life changer for fibromyalgia sufferers, choosing one with experience treating FM is very important.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for FM, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR FIBROMYALGIA! Log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com

Can Car Accidents Cause Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is one of those diagnoses that is pretty loose.  The name itself doesn’t mean much.  Fibromyalgia translated into English means muscle pain.  So if you have aches and pains all over, your doctor may tell you, “you have fibromyalgia.”

There is a diagnostic criteria that has been developed that says if you have 11 of 18 common tender points, you have fibromyalgia.  The problem is, you can have 11 of those points become tender for a variety of different reasons.  So fibromyalgia may not be the most accurate diagnosis.

This brings me to my point about car accidents and fibromyalgia.  Neck injuries sustained during car accidents can cause pain in the muscles all through the body.  It effects mainly the neck, but you can get pain in the back, arms, head and legs.  The pain can travel from day to day and it can vary in intensity.  If the injuries from the car wreck are not treated properly, they can lead to a lifetime of pain.(1)

Typically these neck injuries are called whiplash.  But that diagnosis is only made during the first few months after the injury.  This is because many doctors have been trained to think that whiplash will heal itself within a few months after the injury.  This idea is totally false according to the vast majority of scientific medical evidence.

So, you may show up at a doctors office years after your injury, telling him/her that you have pain that started after the crash.  Over the years it may have gotten progressively worse.  The doctor will diagnose you as having fibromyalgia, because there is no diagnosis code for chronic whiplash.  Even if there was, he/she wouldn’t look at it that way, because of their training.

In my experience, in successfully treating fibromyalgia, a minimum of 2 out of 3 cases have been whiplashed.  It could be from a car wreck, a fall or even a sports injury.

To find out more about how I treat fibromyalgia log on to: www.stopyourfibronow.com
For more information regarding car accident injury treatment, go to: www.thechiropracticimpactreport.com.

(1) “The Fluctuation in Recovery Following Whiplash Injury”, Injury, Volume 36, Issue 6, June 2005, pages 758-761